Sharon Shinn (born 1957) is an American novelist who writes combining aspects of fantasy, science fiction and romance. She has published more than a dozen novels for adult and young adult readers. Her works include the Shifting Circles Series, the Samaria Series, the Twelve Houses Series, and a rewriting of Jane Eyre, Jenna Starborn. She works as a journalist in St. Louis, Missouri and is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Shinn is a St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams fan and is also a big fan of the TV Show Lost."Sharon Shinn" She is a frequent attender of science-fiction/fantasy conventions. Her first guest of honor stint at a convention was ArmadilloCon 26. She was also the guest of honor at the convention Capricon 29.
In 2009, she donated her archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) Collection , Northern Illinois University
In Laurell K Hamilton's novel Obsidian Butterfly of her Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series, Anita Blake mentions that she reads Sharon Shinn's novels to help her deal with her phobia of flying.
Awards William L. Crawford Award (awarded by the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts for best first fantasy novel) (1996)The Locus Index to SF Awards: William L. Crawford - IAFA Fantasy Award Winners By Year Twice nominated for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (1995, 1996) Summers at Castle Auburn named to the ALA list of Best Books (2002).
Works
Safe-Keeper series
The Safe-Keeper's Secret (Puffin Books, 2004) The Truth-Teller's Tale (Puffin Books, 2005) The Dream-Maker's Magic (Viking Press, 2006)
Samaria series
Archangel (Ace Books, 1996) Jovah's Angel (Ace Books, 1997) The Alleluia Files (Ace Books, 1997) Angelica (Ace Books, 2003) Although this is the fourth novel in the Samaria series, it is set before the first book Archangel. Angel-Seeker (Ace Books, 2004) This novel is set immediately after the first book Archangel.
Twelve Houses series
"Flame" (Ace Books, 2009) in Quatrain Mystic and Rider (Ace Books, 2005) The Thirteenth House (Ace Books, 2006) "When Winter Comes" (Berkley Books, 2006) in The Queen of Winter Shifter and Shadow (Fairwood Press, 2025; novella) Dark Moon Defender (Ace Books, 2006) Reader and Raelynx (Ace Books, 2007) Fortune and Fate (Ace Books, 2008)
Elemental Blessings series
Troubled Waters (Ace Books, 2010) Royal Airs (Ace Books, 2013) Jeweled Fire (Ace Books, 2015) Unquiet Land (Ace Books, 2016) Whispering Wood (Fairwood Press, 2024)
Shifting Circle series
The Shape of Desire (Ace Books, 2012) Still Life With Shape Shifter (Ace Books, 2012) The Turning Season (Ace Books, 2014)
Uncommon Echoes series Echo in Onyx (audiobook, Audible, March 2019; trade paperback and ebook, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency, August 2019) Echo in Emerald (audiobook, Audible, March 2019; trade paperback and ebook, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency, 2019) Echo in Amethyst (audiobook, Audible, March 2019; trade paperback and ebook, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency, 2019)
Other novels The Shape-Changer's Wife (Ace Books, 1995) Heart of Gold (Ace Books, 2000) Wrapt in Crystal (Ace Books, 2000) Summers at Castle Auburn (Ace Books, 2002) Jenna Starborn (Ace Books, 2003) General Winston's Daughter (Viking Press, 2007) Gateway (Viking Press, 2009) Shattered Warrior (First Second Books, 2017), a graphic novel illustrated by Lee Knox Ostertag The Shuddering City (Fairwood Press, 2022) Alibi (Fairwood Press, 2024)
Anthologies and collections Anthology and CollectionContentsPublication DatePublisherCommentsTo Weave a Web of Magic"Fallen Angel"2004Berkley Booksnovella; This story is set in Samaria.The Queen in Winter"When Winter Comes"2006Berkley Booksnovella; is set in The Twelve Houses Series between Mystic and Rider and Dark Moon DefenderPowers of Detection: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy"The Sorcerer's Assassin"2006Ace Booksedited by Dana StabenowFirebirds Rising"Wintermoon Wish"2006Firebird Booksis set in the Safe-Keeper worldElemental: The Tsunami Relief Anthology"The Double-Edged Sword"2006Tor BooksElemental Magic"Bargain With the Wind"2007Berkley BooksUnusual Suspects"The House of Seven Spirits"2008Ace BooksQuatrain"Flight"
"Blood"
"Gold"
"Flame"2009Ace Books"Flight" is set in Samaria "Blood" is set in the world of Heart of Gold
"Gold" is set after Summers at Castle Auburn
"Flame" is a prequel to The Twelve Houses SeriesNever After"The Wrong Bridegroom"2009Berkley BooksAngels of Darkness"Nocturne"2011Berkley Books Penguin Groupis set in Samaria.The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance"Can You Hear Me Now?"2012Running PressFantastic Hope"Not in This Lifetime"2020Berkley BooksShadows of the Past"Chief Executed Officers"
"The Unrhymed Couplets of the Universe"2021Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency"Unrhymed Couplets" first appeared in the January 2008 issue of the online magazine Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show
References
External links
On the Plain of Sharon fan site Sharon Shinn at Fantastic Fiction Sharon Shinn at Fantasy Literature
Crawford Award Winners